What does it mean to "be in Christ"?
- Thread starter DAN P
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Bradley D
Well-known member
"All Christians alike, no matter what their race, status, or sex, stand on the same footing of sonship before God. There is a unity or solidarity in the Christian body. What is true of one is true of all." (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers)
I feel that "important" misses how crucial being "in Christ" truly is.
In Him we are made alive, holy, set apart, atoned for, consecrated, justified, and empowered.
Outside of Him we would just be unbelievers walking in darkness/sin.
Ever noticed how many times the phrase "in Him" or "in whom" or "in Christ" is used in the epistles?
Ephesians alone uses the phrase almost 25 times !
"In Him" we are one with Christ.
Derf
Well-known member
It means that we aren't physically those things, but in faith we are those things. For instance, we are "alive in Christ" through faith that what happened to Him in His resurrection will one day happen to us. Or we are with Him in the heavenlies not physically, but in faith that we will be some day.
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
We are "dead with Christ"--not physically, but by faith, so that we don't have to be controlled by our flesh in fear of death, but controlled by the Spirit, looking forward to our physical resurrection.
Romans 6:8 (KJV) Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
I believe it IS physical.
Derf
Well-known member
You are physically in the heavenlies right now? I didn't know TOL would be available in heaven.
Ephesians 2:6 (KJV)
And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:
As opposed to Christ Jesus, who is actually in heaven at this time.
Ephesians 1:20 (KJV)
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],
Thanks for the scriptures.
Especially Eph 2:6, which makes my case.
Here is another one..."I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal 2:20)
Derf
Well-known member
So you ARE physically in heaven right now, typing on TOL?
Christ in me is doing the typing. (Gal 2:20)
Thanks be to God, He also keeps me from looking at porn or stealing from work !
Derf
Well-known member
That's wonderful!
Does Christ also keep you from answering a direct question?
Sometimes.
Derf
Well-known member
That may just be a messiah complex. You should get it checked out.
Or, the word of God may indeed be true !
Jesus prayed that He and we may be one.
It is written..."That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." (John 17:21)
And..."I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." (John 17:23)
Derf
Well-known member
Then you are PHYSICALLY in heaven right now??
The vessel used by the Holy Spirit as the temple of God is not in heaven right now.
It is written..."What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Cor 6:19)
Technically, as the temple isn't "mine", your question is tough to answer with a yes/no reply..
Derf
Well-known member
I don't think it's that tough of a question. Whether the "temple" belongs to you or the Spirit, it is physically here on earth, not physically in heavenly places. Therefore in at least that one instance, it isn't physical, despite your response that
when I said
And:
Would you like to rephrase?
The point was that it was not "mine".
We are indeed physically dead with Christ, in fact, destroyed. (Rom 6:6)
Without that being a fact, it is impossible to live without sinning.
I am a new creature now, physically and spiritually.
What died at it's "immersion" into Christ's death and buried with Him, (Rom 6:3-4, Gal 5:24), has been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life, (Rom 6:4) quickened, (made alive), by the Holy Ghost. (Rom 8:11, Eph 2:1,5, Col 2:13)
Glory to God !
Derf
Well-known member
So you believe the resurrection has already happened? And believers are all sporting their new, incorruptible bodies? That's kinda disappointing, as my incorruptible body seems to be falling apart as I get older.
Not at all.
Though they who have been crucified with Christ, and buried with Christ, have also been raised from His grave with Christ, (Rom 6:3-6), the final resurrection is still a ways off.
This vessel now walks in newness of life, having been quickened by the Holy Spirit. (Col 2:13)
It is no longer "mine".